HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA!

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Our friends, guests and family literally circle the globe these days, so we’re grateful for the power of the web to reach out as we attempt to pass on our wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year to as many of you as possible.

Chaa Creek Announces New Changes for 2014

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The Lodge at Chaa Creek owners, Mick and Lucy Fleming have just announced that new offerings, tours and initiatives at the popular Belizean eco resort will make 2014 “one of the best years to discover or rediscover Belize.”

Book Now for 2014 Belize Romance Specials at Chaa Creek

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We know how much these experiences mean to couples, so we remain flexible and sensitive to special requirements and wishes. All couples need to do is ask, and we’ll go out of our way to make sure that dream romantic adventure is everything they hoped for

Early Christmas joy for Cristo Rey RC School in Belize

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Christmas is near and the cheer was shared very early this year with the students of Cristo Rey RC primary school! The Herron family from Florida, USA presented a sizeable donation to the staff and students of the Belizean primary school through Chaa Creek’s Pack-a-Pound initiative.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Chaa Creek

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The staff and management of Chaa Creek wish all of you, wherever you are, a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. We know that we’ll be taking the time out to be grateful for what we have, which includes you, our many friends and guests from around the world.

Chaa Creek Surprises With Another Belize Black Friday

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A 30% discount off accommodation applies to all Chaa Creek lodging, from the thatch roof cottage rooms the resort is known for to the more luxurious suites, including private Garden Jacuzzi and the Tree Top suites, while the 10% discount applies to the Belize Adventure Inclusive, Chaa Creek Inland Expeditions and Belize Honeymoon all-inclusive Belize vacation packages.

Miss Earth Belize On a Serious Mission

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Brion Young, assistant manager of Chaa Creek’s Belize Natural History Centre said that while the Miss Earth International Pageant may appear to be an unusual way to raise environmental awareness, Miss Earth Belize’s departure for Miami on November 9 to participate in this year’s Manila Pageant can only contribute towards spreading the message of environmental sustainability. According to Belize’s Amandala newspaper, Amber Reneé Rivero is the formal Environmental Ambassador of Belize after being crowned Miss Earth Belize on August 24, 2013, and on Saturday, November 9, she departed the country for the first leg of her journey.

Why Expats Fall in Love with Belize

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Belize is the northeastern-most of all the Central American nations, making it the easiest of all to access from the U.S. You can be there in as little as two hours from Houston, or closer to three from a number of other cities in the eastern United States.Sure, expats move abroad looking for a change from their former lives and culture. But it’s still nice to be able to get back to visit friends and family without too much time or hassle. Not to mention, the shorter, less expensive flights make loved ones more likely to come visit you as well. Besides, despite its proximity, Belize offers plenty in the way of new and different experiences. However, one important factor that isn’t different from North America is the language.

Belize Honeymoon: Top 10 Reasons Infographic

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While destination honeymoons set in exotic tropical locales have been growing in popularity in recent years, new-kid-on-the-block Belize is experiencing an increase in romantic couples seeking affordable luxury in an idyllic setting, according to the Lodge at Chaa Creek’s wedding and honeymoon planner.

Chaa Creek Featured on USA Today’s Bucket List

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The owner of the Lodge at Chaa Creek said that the eco resort’s inclusion in a recent USA Today travel guide “bucket list” is good news for the nascent Belizean tourism industry, and further proves that environmentally sustainable, Green tourism can provide a high quality travel experience. Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick started Chaa Creek by accepting guests at their small family farm in a remote part of Belize in 1981, said that recognition such as USA Today’s provides an important boost to the Belizean tourism industry, which since it’s relatively recent inception has struggled to achieve name recognition in the highly competitive Caribbean travel industry.

It’s Official – Belize is Happy!

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With the world’s second largest barrier reef (some say the world’s longest living barrier reef), huge tracts of unspoiled rainforests surrounding ancient Maya cities and temples, pristine rivers, waterfalls, hundreds of lovely little islands and a stunning Caribbean coast, what’s not to be happy about? Oh yes, then there’s the people. Nowhere on the planet will you find a more multicultural mix of happy souls who have long ago worked out how to live in harmony. Just about everyone who comes to Belize remarks on the natural, easy going friendliness and warmth of Belizeans. And it’s infectious – after a few days even the most harried travellers notice a spring in the step and a propensity towards smiling. It just grows on you…

Food is an Essential Part of the Adventure in Belize

Food is an Essential Part of the Adventure in Belize

In order to survive in the increasingly competitive tourism industry, even the most remote resorts must pay careful attention to their kitchens as travellers are placing greater emphasis on a quality dining experience, the food and beverage manager of a popular Belizean eco resort advises. Bryony Fleming Bradley, of The Lodge at Chaa Creek in western Belize, said that the days of adventurous travellers being satisfied with food that was simply hot and palatable are over. ”Some years back, our guests would always comment at how happily surprised they were with the quality of the food we served, as it usually exceeded their expectations of what would be found in such a pristine location.

Chaa Creek Resort: Belize’s Playground

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After two days of hiking, climbing and swimming, I was ready for a bit of a change of pace, so we headed to the eco jungle resort, Chaa Creek. At this 365 acre resort, you’ll have everything at your fingertips to customize your own jungle adventure. I had met someone from Chaa Creek a few years ago at a travel trade show and had been staring at their promotional disc for years, waiting for the day I’d get to Belize so I could stay there. After checking in to our private thatched cottage, we met with the concierge to organize the activities for the following day. Many are included in your stay, but a few such as horseback riding and canoeing carry a small surcharge.

A Letter to our Valued Travel Partners

As most of you know, here at Chaa Creek we were eagerly looking forward to December 21 2012 and sure enough, our anticipation was well founded as we hosted one of the best celebrations Belize has ever seen. As a combination of education, cultural exposition, feasting and partying, we’re happy to report that a great time was had by all as staff, guests and neighbours joined together for a truly special week. And of course, the dust barely had time to settle before we were enjoying a truly memorable Christmas and New Years with our family and friends. We hope and trust your year ended on as high a note.

Inaugural Tropic Air Service Boosts Belize Travel

Travellers to Belize will find it easier to combine a Caribbean beach vacation with a rainforest and Maya temple experience, thanks to today’s launch of a new air service linking Belize’s San Ignacio Town to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s marketing administrator, Larry Waight said today. According to Tropic Air, their new service will run between the Maya Flats airstrip located midway between San Ignacio Town and Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Guatemalan border, and the domestic airports at San Pedro and Belize City.

New Belize Caribbean Package Takes in Rainforest and Reef

All Inclusive Ambergris Caye Belize Resorts

The new Caribbean Reef and Maya Rainforest Package is a seven night, eight day affordable Belize luxury holiday offering guests the choice of three nights at one resort and four at the other. It includes luxury accommodation, a range of activities, and all meals, transfers, taxes and gratuities. “All-inclusive means that everything is taken care of from the moment you land until you leave. The inland rainforest and the sparkling Caribbean feel like two different worlds…

The Best Travel Apps to Use On the Go

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You’re hungry, exploring Belize, and you need to find a restaurant before you start snapping at your travel companions. What do you do? If your phone runs apps, you can be calling a taxi to the nearest hot spot while your paper-bound companions are still looking around for brochures.Travel apps can help you find tourist destinations, local cultural events, and the best places to eat in Belize without wasting time looking through your guidebook or trying to speak the local language to ask a stranger.

Retire to the Simple Life in Cayo, Belize

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Mick Fleming is something of a legend in this part of Belize, a larger-than-life character who, more than 30 years ago, with $600 in his pocket, made his way to Belize City, where he met a guy in a bar who owned a piece of land in the jungle he was interested in selling. Mick bought, thinking he’d try his luck as a farmer. The farming was tough going, but, in time, Mick identified another opportunity. Travelers were beginning to find their way to this remote region. They’d happen upon Mick and ask if he had a place where they could spend the night.

The Eco Kids Rainforest Adventure Continues…

Chaa Creek has had a rich past as an ancient, bustling ancient Maya community and trade centre, as a vibrant part of the early British Honduras chicle and logging industry and as one of the many farms supplying San Ignacio town before becoming home to Belize’s first eco-resort. As part of our commitment to Green sustainability, all of us at Chaa Creek are continually promoting greater environmental awareness and respect for the things that make Belize so special.

2012 Maya Summer Vacations a “Rare Opportunity”

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The 2012 summer holidays present a rare opportunity to learn about ancient Maya culture and history in the Heartland of the Maya, a noted Belizean anthropologist said. The Lodge at Chaa Creek’s resident Mayanist, anthropologist Joe Awe, said 2012 is an exciting time not only for the Maya people of Belize, but for archaeologists, anthropologists, Maya healers, academics and professionals from around the world, and this created rare opportunities for tourists interested in Maya culture.

Prince Harry to savour Belize’s brew—Belikin Beer

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Every visitor to Belize shares the common experience of enjoying a product of Bowen and Bowen Limited. After all, it bottles everything from water and Coca Cola products to energy drinks and fruit juices and it is the only national bottler of local beer and Guinness Stout. When Prince Harry of Wales arrives in Belize on Friday, he’ll get the royal treatment from the beer company. At the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Block Party, company executives will introduce Prince Harry to all their products and allow him to sample and savour their prized Belikin beer.

Springtime Birds and Bargains at Chaa Creek

Springtime Birds and Bargains at Chaa Creek

The April to July mating season for hundreds of bird species in lush rainforests combined with twenty per cent discounts for the entire month of May presents an extraordinary opportunity to discover the amazing bird life of Belize, Chaa Creek marketing administrator Larry Waight said today. Belize is home to one of the world’s largest and most eclectic populations of native and migratory birds, with over 308 species recorded at Chaa Creek alone.

Belize, The Bachelor, and Love

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The growth of romantic vacations as a uniquely Belizean attraction has been highlighted again this week with the airing of The Bachelor reality TV show, and this is a welcome trend for Adventure Romance specialists such as Chaa Creek, the eco resort’s spa manager Bryony Fleming said. The 7th episode of the 16th season of The Bachelor began with Bachelor Ben Flanjik and six female contestants arriving in Belize for a holiday that ended with only four women remaining. The Belizean series included Ben and his dates leaping from a helicopter into the famous Blue Hole.

A Green appreciation of Steve Jobs and a fond farewell from Chaa Creek

Like us, Steve Jobs felt a responsibility towards environmental sustainability , and translated that responsibility into his company’s operations and practices. However, this was not something he publicised and, in our view, never received enough credit for. Also, and by his own admission, his Green commitment took time to develop.

A Green Globe nod to Chaa Creek

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The highly sought after Green Globe worldwide certification is considered to be the “International Standard for Sustainability” and is granted only after a rigorous auditing process against recognised benchmarks and carbon footprint calculations. The Lodge at Chaa Creek has once again been awarded the Green Globe Certification “as a mark of quality, sustainability and climate action,” according to Green Globe.